By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
Local politics and public policy were served up with a hearty plate of buttery biscuits, creamy grits, and mouth watering fried catfish.
After more than a two-year long hiatus, Biscuits, Grits, and Politics returned with a bang Tuesday morning, drawing a sold-out crowd of over 150 patrons hungry for networking, interaction, and excitement for the event.
As the morning sun draped over the Jacobs Center, attendees rushed in, greeting new and familiar faces. After finding their seats, patrons wasted no time in getting up to secure a good spot in the breakfast line catered by Nelly’s Kitchen.
By 8 a.m. all twenty-eight tables in the room were filled with community members, politicians, business owners, journalists, and more as the auditorium buzzed with chatter and the delicious aroma of fresh brewed coffee.
Sponsored by Voice and Viewpoint, the SD Black Chamber of Commerce, and GOD Radio, the morning commenced with a welcome from the organizers, Dr. John Warren, Publisher, and Managing Editor Latanya West.
Dr. Warren addressed the crowd with his intention for the event.
“With this start-up meeting I want to help you understand the relationship between the kinds of laws that are affecting us, the policies that have been made, and how those policies are really up to us.”
“When we understand that it will stimulate us to be more involved,” said Dr. John Warren, who then invited Pastor Nate Stewart of Greater Life Church to give the invocation.
Patrons were eager to hear from the movers, shakers, and change-makers of San Diego and beyond lined up to speak. Beginning with Mitch Mitchell, who serves as senior vice president, chief legislative officer for Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Mitchell spoke fervently about what he referred to as a “broken system” when it comes to the process of inclusive decision making in policy and legislation.
Drawing from his experience with the State Legislators in Sacramento, he expressed his concern over the lack of Black representation from the group of 120 influential politicians he encountered—intended to be “representative” of all California residents.
Now, as a fierce advocate for Black representation in politics, he stands by the fact that “politics and government should be exemplary in inclusion and diversity” in order to make informed decisions representative of all of California.
After generating several moments of applause the next guest to take the stage was Chida Warren-Darby, Director for Office of Boards and Commissions for Mayor Todd Gloria’s office.
As she greeted the crowd, Warren-Darby admitted with glee that out of all the times she has been invited to speak to an audience on governmental matters, Biscuits, Grits and Politics was the first crowd where she felt represented.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But I get invited to talk to a lot of organizations and people about boards and commissions and I don’t always see a lot of people that look like me in these conversations,” said Warren-Derby.
As Director for the Board of Commissions, Warren-Derby emphasized the influence of the
Commission and Boards in getting local policies and recommendations on the mayor’s agenda.
“If you’re coming from a community and you’re serving on these Boards and Commissions, your voice matters. You help influence change at City Hall,” said Warren-Derby.
After the speakers wrapped up their remarks, the stage was opened to the audience for a Q & A. Dialogue in the room centered upon questions ranging from housing, homeless, electric vehicle infrastructure, to City Budgets, and more.
Despite more hands being raised, it was time to draw the event to a close. Giving final remarks to the audience, Dr. Warren promised guests that dialogue of this nature would continue at our next Biscuits, Grits, and Politics event scheduled for next month, Oct. 17th. Same time, same location.
Overall, in an age when political polarization often dominates the headlines, this open-dialogue community breakfast event served as a beacon of hope and a path of action for attendees.
After more than a two-year long hiatus, Biscuits, Grits, and Politics returned with a bang Tuesday morning, drawing a sold-out crowd of over 150 patrons hungry for networking, interaction, and excitement for the event.
Watch the full event here:
